Noise, n.
Etymology: [F. noise noisy strife, quarrel, brawl, fr. L. nausea seasickness, sickness, disgust. See Nausea.]
1. Sound of any kind. The heavens turn about in a most rapid motion without noise to us perceived. Bacon.
Note: Noise is either a sound of too short a duration to be determined, like the report of a cannon; or else it is a confused mixture of many discordant sounds, like the rolling of thunder or the noise of the waves. Nevertheless, the difference between sound and noise is by no means precise. Ganot.
2. Especially, loud, confused, or senseless sound; clamor; din.
3. Loud or continuous talk; general talk or discussion; rumor; report. "The noise goes." Shak. What noise have we had about transplantation of diseases and transfusion of blood! T. Baker. Soerates lived in Athens during the great plague which has made so much noise in all ages. Spectator.
2 more senses
4. Music, in general; a concert; also, a company of musicians; a band. [Obs.] Milton. The king has his noise of gypsies. B. Jonson.
Syn. -- Cry; outcry; clamor; din; clatter; uproar.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Noise, v. i.
To sound; to make a noise. Milton.
Noise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Noised; p pr. & vb. n. Noising.]
1. To spread by rumor or report. All these sayings were noised abroad. Luke i. 65.
2. To disturb with noise. [Obs.] Dryden.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for noise; he lists it under sound.
Where he writes about it:
Tone is sound considered as having some musical quality or as expressive of some feeling; noise is sound considered without reference to musical quality or as distinctly unmusical or discordant. — from sound
Thus, in the most general sense noise and sound scarcely differ, and we say almost indifferently, "I heard a sound," or "I heard a noise." We speak of a fine, musical, or pleasing sound, but never thus of a noise. — from sound